Of course, j'ouvert was the appetizer for the main course of the carnival road march. There were a total of 7 junior bands and 6 senior bands, but in the end only two could be declared winners. For the seniors, it was Titans and for the juniours, it was Mahogany Masqueraders. We spoke to the bandleaders today:...

David Matus, BandLeader - Titans"Overall it's a great feeling, that like you said for the past 2 years we were not able to place where we think we should have been placed for the past 2 years. But I think 2017 set it all. We were ready and we came down with a real different show this time and I think the band nailed it at the judging point. I think they came with the A game and they took it away. So that was where they workouts paid an important part for us this year. A part from beautiful costumes we had that on lock."

Jules Vasquez, reporter"How much did you guys win and what do you win and how much did you invest?"

David Matus, BandLeader - Titans"The thousands that we put into these costumes is no way in comparison to the prize. I wish the prize would go up, but it stays at $10,000 for first prize. We spent in an approximately over $50-$60 in that range."

Jules Vasquez, reporter"What is your satisfaction in it?"

David Matus, BandLeader - Titans"Well like you said, when you see it coming down you see it all put together. When you make it, we're doing them one by one. But when you see them in a crowd, you see this whole different visions of how it actually played off. You could turn around and look at it like wow! The colors really blend. The theme went well. The people wearing the costumes did their part. So we are more than satisfied. It's not about the winning part of it. It just giving us I think what we are due."

Nadia Avila, Mahogany Masqueradors - 1st Place Juniors"It feels great and a sense of calm, a sense of happiness and for all the hard work and the dedication at night, sleepless nights, countless days, down to the minute, the second, the hour - the time that we needed to get out there, it was all worth it, especially after coming in first place."

"I said you know what, the revelers behind these costumes will rally create a positive impact towards a community when it comes to positivity, love, peace and respect towards each other and that's exactly what we did on road march day. We went out there with full force, full drive of energy. With junior band you have to do a lot of talking. When you talk to the kids soft, they don't understand. Like you really have to be loud with them and that's what I did the morning. I told them if you guys want to win, only you guys could lose it road march. If you guys want to win, all you have to do is to dance at that judging point and after that you dance all the way to Marion Jones Stadium and that's exactly what they did."

"But it's just for the love of carnival that we are out here and I always try to bring something that will sparkle someone's eye, because when somebody that is down see something bright and beautiful, it gives them hope."

Black Pearl was second for the juniors while Mother Nature's Creation was second for the seniors.